ASEAN and Southeast Asian Regionalism

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

An application process applies. Please contact the Faculty of Arts at arts-studentprograms@unimelb.edu.au for further information.

Politics and International Studies at the undergraduate level

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject focuses on Southeast Asian regionalism, with a particular focus on ASEAN. It will explore the dynamics of regionalism, asking questions such as: Why do states create regional organisations? How do those organisations shape the interaction of various actors (states, non-state actors, and actors outside the region)? How does ASEAN’s style of regionalism – ‘thinly’ institutionalised and emphasising informal norms rather than formal rules – challenge the European Union (EU) ‘model’? To what extent does ASEAN facilitate effective regional governance in the face of challenges such as economic crises, natural disasters, interstate and intrastate conflict, terrorism and food security? The ‘ASEAN Way’ may be a practical way of keeping a diverse group of states engaged in a regular forum, but to what extent does it need to evolve in order for ASEAN to avoid being dismissed as a ‘talk shop’? Does the ASEAN Community herald a new era for the Association?

This graduate subject will be taught intensively on location at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Yogyakarta, Indonesia, over five days.
The subject will consist mainly of seminars held at FISIPOL, with some field visits in and/or near Yogyakarta.

Upon successful completion of this subject, students are expected to have developed:

• A critical understanding of the main theories and debates in regionalism and regional organisations, with a particular focus on Southeast Asia;
• An understanding of the norms, history, dynamics and contemporary developments of ASEAN;
• An understanding of the roles of key states (including Indonesia and Australia) in the development of ASEAN, and the role of ASEAN in the broader Asia-Pacific region;
• An ability to engage in comparative regional analysis;
• A capacity to conduct research on topics in Southeast Asian regionalism; and
• A capacity to engage in learning from fieldwork exercises in cross-cultural contexts.

Briefing paper 2,000 words for a key individual (e.g. minister in an ASEAN member state; official in the ASEAN Secretariat) on a particular key issue. Students would choose from a list of set topics. Due 2 weeks after end of subject (40%)

Research Essay 3,000 words on a set topic, develop their own topic with the approval of the Subject Coordinators. Due 6 weeks after end of subject (60%)

Hurdle Requirement: As this is an Intensively-taught subject, lecture/seminar attendance is compulsory on all days. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A reading pack will be provided and all readings will be available online. The subject guide will list suggestions for those who wish to consult a text. A hard copy reading pack will be distributed to students at least three weeks before the commencement of the subject. Students would be required to complete all readings before the subject begins. Additional materials will be provided during the teaching week.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

• apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry;
• develop persuasive arguments on a given topic;
• communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively and articulately.